Easy to remove bag holder
A foldable stand includes four panels attached flexibly at lateral edges such that the panels can be folded in a closed configuration flat upon each other or folded into an open configuration to form a self-supporting free-standing stand.
Bags and other types of containers find many everyday uses. For example, bags may be used to hold laundry, garbage, waste, groceries, games, and many other items. Bags may be loose or held upright in a container, such as a garbage bag that is supported by a waste receptacle.
A common problem with bags that are supported by containers occurs when it comes time to lift the bag out of the container. For example, a garbage bag that is packed with refuse may take some extra manpower to unloose the bag from the confines of a container. Other common problems are found, for example, with bags that are tied to a pole or that are hung in the air. For example, bags that are tied to a pole may be difficult to untie. Also, bags that are hung in the air may break and cause contents to spill. Managing the support of bags can require a great deal of effort and time, resulting in frustration and inefficiency.
BRIEF SUMMARYA foldable stand includes four panels attached flexibly at lateral edges such that the panels can be folded in a closed configuration with panels positioned flat upon each other. The panels are also folded into an open configuration to form a self-supporting free-standing stand. In the open configuration, the panels form surface exteriors that include a top opening formed by tops of the panels and a bottom opening formed by bottoms of the panels. The tops and bottoms of the panels are dimensioned such that the bottom opening is larger than the top opening with the surface exteriors of the stand tapered from the bottom opening narrowing to the top opening.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/350,436, filed Jun. 15, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The following describes a foldable stand as shown in
The foldable stand includes four panels attached flexibly at lateral edges such that the panels can be folded in a closed configuration flat upon each other. Alternatively, the panels have an open configuration to form a self-supporting free-standing stand. In the open configuration, the panels form surface exteriors that include a top opening formed by tops of the panels and a bottom opening formed by bottoms of the panels. The tops and bottoms of the panels may be dimensioned such that the bottom opening is larger than the top opening with the surface exteriors of the stand tapered from the bottom opening narrowing to the top opening.
Turning to
For storage, the four panels 104, 106, 108, and 110 bend, or are otherwise adjustable, relative to each other. The lateral edges act like a hinge, allowing the panels to close. In an embodiment, the four panels bend at corner edges 103, 105, 107, and 109 such that the panels 104 and 106 may be folded and lay on top of panels 110 and 108, respectively. Corner edges 105 and 109 may bend in the same direction to fold panels 104 and 110 on top of panels 106 and 108. Thus, with two folding actions, the four panels lay on top of each other for easy storage. The process also may be accomplished by starting with panels 104 and 110 laying flat on panels 106 and 108 by bending at lateral edges 105 and 109, and then bending lateral edges 107 and 103 to fold panels 106 and 104 on panels 108 and 110.
Magnetic tabs 164, 166, 168, and 170 are affixed to upper edges of the stand 102 and are configured to attach upper edges of a garbage bag to the foldable stand. As shown, there is a magnetic tab for each panel. Each tab comprises a short strip that is configured to fold around edges of a garbage bag and secure it to the stand with a magnetic attraction. One end of the strip is secured to the stand and the free end of the strip has a magnetic element. The magnetic element on the free end may be attracted to the frame if the frame includes metallic components. Alternatively, the strip may have two magnetic poles at opposite ends of the strip, allowing the strip to fold over to attach to itself and hold a garbage bag between the magnetic ends. The magnetic attraction is strong enough to go through the material of the panels.
As shown, the tabs are attached to outer surfaces near upper edges of the stand. The tabs may instead be located on edges or on inner surfaces. If the panel comprises two layers, the end of the strip may be sewn within the two layers. Alternatively, the tabs may be located on inner surfaces or squarely on the edges of the panels.
One or more pockets 113 may be located on the interior or exterior of the stand. As shown, the pocket is centrally located on the exterior surface of panel 106. The pocket may be used to hold extra garbage bags or tools for gardening, etc.
Turning to
Various views of the stand 202 are shown in
The pre-assembled components of the foldable stand 202 are shown in
Each frame 214 and 220 is partially encased by respective seamed top material folds, or top casings, 244 and 250 as shown in a detail view in
Corner covers may be attached to adjacent panels to cover a pair of legs. As shown in detail view of
While the cutout in
Returning to
The squaring brace 235 may optionally include a lip or grip 239 on the middle arm to bend around a respective opposite facing panel (panel 204 in
The pocket 213 in
Note that multiple magnetic tabs may be located on each side (i.e. panel) of the stand. The tabs may be made of the same fabric as the panels or may comprise a different composition.
In
In
The distal free ends may further include protective coverings that protect the ends from exposure as seen in
To secure the end to a ground surface, stake loops may be provided.
The fabric of the panels may vary. For example, types of fabric include one or more of cloth, plastic, vinyl, vinyl with fabric on the interior, UV resistant material, netted material, or a combination thereof. The fabric may be flexible or not flexible. Fabric may be selected such that edges are not needed to be sewn before sewing a seam (e.g. vinyl with fabric on the interior surface). The materials for frames and the squaring brace may be the same. Also, a diameter section of the frame may be equal to a diameter section of the squaring brace.
Embodiments include that the foldable stand include actual hinges on every corner, approximately ⅓ to ½ the way down corner edges. More than one hinge on a corner may be used. Actual hinges may be made of metal, plastic, fabric, a combination thereof, or other material.
The foldable stand may be considerably lightweight given that the walls are mostly fabric. Exemplary non-limiting dimensions include a height of approximately 27 inches and a 25 square inch base, with the foldable stand being less than 3 lbs. Exemplary non-limiting heights may vary from 30 inches, 29 inches, 28 inches, 27 inches, 26 inches, 25 inches, 24 inches, 23 inches, and less. Miniature containers may also be used and include heights less than 12 inches. Exemplary non-limiting bags used for the containers may be 32-39 gallon size, or even up to 42 gallon size. For miniature containers, small bags dimensioned to fit within the miniature container may be used.
Shapes of the foldable stand may vary, for example, and may be a triangle, rectangle, hexagonal, etc. The number of frames and panels vary accordingly to define the given shape (e.g. three frames and three panels for a triangle shape, etc.).
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. A foldable stand comprising:
- four panels attached flexibly at lateral edges such that the panels can be folded in a closed configuration flat upon each other or alternately folded into an open configuration to form a self-supporting free-standing stand,
- the free-standing stand with the panels forming lateral surfaces and the stand having a top opening formed by tops of the panels and a bottom opening formed by bottoms of the panels,
- the tops and bottoms of the panels dimensioned such that the bottom opening is larger than the top opening with the lateral surfaces of the stand tapered from the bottom opening narrowing to the top opening;
- at least one frame attached to one of the panels and supporting the panel, the frame comprising:
- a central portion,
- a bent, or curved, portion at either end of the central portion,
- two leg portions extending outward from either end of the bent portion, the central portion attached at the top of the panel, the leg portions extending toward the bottom of the panel along the lateral edges, and free ends of the leg portions attached at base corners of the panel.
2. The stand of claim 1, further comprising flexible fabric material that extends across flexibly lateral edges between panels such that the panels are flexibly attached at lateral edges.
3. The stand of claim 1, further comprising a top fold along the top of the panel through which the central portion of the frame is enclosed thereby attaching the frame to the panel at top.
4. The stand of claim 3, further comprising a corner cover that includes a strip of material that is configured to attach to lateral edges of adjacent panels and thereby cover and protect adjacent leg portions of frames at lateral edges.
5. The stand of claim 1, further comprising a corner base channel at each corner of the panel through which the ends of the two leg portions of the frame may be inserted, thereby attaching each frame to the panel at bottom.
6. The stand of claim 1, wherein the two legs of the frame include free ends that are straight.
7. The stand of claim 1, wherein the four panels are formed as separate panels and attached together at lateral edges to form the free-standing stand.
8. The stand of claim 1, wherein the panels are seamed at top, bottom, and lateral edges.
9. The stand of claim 1, further comprising a squaring brace, the brace comprising:
- three generally straight elongated arms including a first arm, a middle arm, and a third arm, each arm forming a right angle with an adjacent arm,
- free ends that wrap around a central portion of one of the frames, the stand having an open position where the brace hangs from a side of the stand and a closed position where the brace lays on the tops of the four frames.
10. The stand of claim 9, wherein a grip is formed by ends of the middle arm being curved into a downward facing position such that in the closed position, the brace lays on the tops of the four frames with the grip wrapped over the frame that is opposite facing, the grip maintaining structural positioning of the panels relative to one another.
11. The stand of claim 1, further comprising handles that are located on opposite sides of the stand, the handles being centrally located on opposite facing panels.
12. The stand of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of magnetic tabs, each tab including a strip that includes
- a loop,
- a banded member that extends from the loop, and
- a magnet attached within the loop and within the banded member, the banded member attached on an outer facing surface near or at a top of one of the panels, the tab configured to fold over the top of the panel, over a bag, and attach to the magnet within the loop and thus securely clamp edges of the bag.
13. The stand of claim 1, further comprising at least one pocket located on an outer surface of one of the panels, the pocket having a trapezoid shape, a shorter length on a bottom than a top length, sides of the pocket being attached with sides having straight square edges so that a pocket with square corner edges is formed and a top opening gapes slightly open.
14. The stand of claim 1, further comprising loops located at one or more base corners, the loops configured to allow stakes to be driven through the loops and into the ground and thus hold base corners of the stand in place.
15. The stand of claim 1, further including protector fittings that attach to free ends of the two leg portions.
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Type: Grant
Filed: May 25, 2017
Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
Patent Publication Number: 20170361969
Inventor: Evette Higley (Herriman, UT)
Primary Examiner: Nkeisha Smith
Application Number: 15/605,865
International Classification: B65B 67/12 (20060101); F16M 11/22 (20060101); B65F 1/14 (20060101);